Samuel's Furniture saves big on energy

Media contact:  Alex Ramel, Sustainable Connections Energy and Policy Manager, (360) 305-5079, alex@sconnect.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
October 5, 2011 – Bellingham, WA

Samuel’s Furniture saves big with the Community Energy Challenge

BELLINGHAM, WA – Elie Samuel knows that you can change the world by changing a light bulb. Samuel’s Furniture is participating in the Community Energy Challenge (CEC) and joining other local homes and businesses to reduce energy use, save money, decrease pollution and help make Whatcom County a leader in energy efficiency. He is proud to report that a complete lighting retrofit of their Ferndale showroom, recommended after a comprehensive energy assessment performed by the Community Energy Challenge, is paying off in better light quality and decreased energy use in the 72,000 ft2 building.

Until recently, the Ferndale-based furniture showroom was lit by 1,350 regular incandescent bulbs. While the light quality worked well for showing off inventory, the old bulbs drew huge amounts of energy. The challenge, then, was to find an efficient replacement that delivered the same quality of illumination. Working with Martin Selch, Commercial Conservation Specialist from Sustainable Connections and the Community Energy Challenge, Samuel researched and tested many different types of efficient LED lights and found a model that provided just the right look and feel for his showroom while using a fraction of the energy.

Changing each 90 watt incandescent bulb in Samuel’s showroom to a 17 watt LED made a huge difference – an annual reduction in pollution from power generation equivalent to taking 17 cars off the road or 8 standard American homes off the grid.

Rebates from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) helped bring down the cost of the project and Samuel expects the lighting retrofit to pay for itself in energy savings in just one year. The LED lamps will continue to save the business energy and money over their expected lifespan of 11 years.

“It made a lot of sense for my business to do this project now,” said owner Elie Samuel. “The PSE rebates made it affordable and the Community Energy Challenge made the process easy. I just received my first bill since the retrofit and saved over $3,000 in one month.”

In addition to an energy assessment and customized action plan, the Community Energy Challenge helps participants access exclusive financial incentives and low-interest loans. The CEC worked with Samuel to take advantage of an existing utilities rebate to defray project costs.

“Reducing demand for energy cuts down on the need for costly new energy infrastructure, helping keep utilities affordable for everyone,” says Alex Ramel, Sustainable Connections Energy and Policy Manager. “Lowering operating costs at a local business like Samuel’s also helps strengthen the local economy by keeping capital in Whatcom County.”

The Community Energy Challenge, a collaboration between non-profits Sustainable Connections and the Opportunity Council, offers a similar service to Whatcom homeowners, providing them with low-cost home energy assessments, a custom action plan focusing on all cost-effective areas of energy efficiency, a Home Energy Advisor to provide guidance, vetted contractors to complete the work, third party quality assurance, and financial incentives and low-interest loans to help finance the work. Energy efficiency has never been easier!

For more information about the CEC or to sign up a home or business up for an assessment, visit www.CommunityEnergyChallenge.org or call 360-676-6099.